B R D C Bulletin
British entries for the Grand Prix Automobile des Nations to be run on July 21st are as follows: Abecassis (Alta), Parnell and Ansell (Maseratis), Arbuthnot (Delage), and Mays, Whitehead, Brooke, Gerard and Connel (E.R.A.s). An E.R.A. will also be driven by “Bira.”
In view a the tremendous interest being taken in this event, enquiries have been made into the possibility of organising a trip to Geneva for the benefit of members who would like to see the race, but results so far have not been very encouraging. Swiss Air are booked to capacity to the end of September, and the cost of chartering a ‘plane appears to be excessive, working out at about £50 per head. However, a limited number of allocations on the “Golden Arrow” service via Dover-Calais-Paris are available on July 16th, 17th and 18th, but sleeping-car berths cannot be guaranteed. The first-class return fare is £19 15s. 2d.„ inclusive of the Pullman supplementary charge of £1 in each direction. Members who wish to take up one of these allocations should communicate with the secretary immediately.
A further possibility would be to ship a car to France and travel by road. The petrol allowance (33 gallons) obtainable on disembarkation should be adequate, and the expenses, shared by four passengers, would be comparatively modest. Members interested in this suggestion are also invited to communicate with the secretary without delay, stating if they are in a position to provide a car or wish to travel as passengers.
Hotel accommodation in Geneva at 15 to 30 francs per day (inclusive) may be reserved through the club.
Parnell has entered both the Maserati and Delage for the Albi Grand Prix, which will be run on July 14th. The Delage will be driven by R. Arbuthnot.
Congratulations to H. L. Brooke on winning the Grand Prix des Frontieres, his first race at the wheel of his ex-Dobson E.R.A., and to “Jock” Horsfall and Leslie Johnson, who finished 1st and 2nd in the 2-litre race of the Belgian Grand Prix.
Peter Whitehead has bought one of the latest type E.R.A.s which he plans to race next year.
If certain legal difficulties can be overcome, the Ulster Automobile Club’s Trophy Race will be run over the Ballydare circuit on August 10th.
South of the Border, the Irish Motor Racing Club has been invited by the local townsfolk to organise a race at Bray (a small seaside town about 12 miles south of Dublin) on Sunday, September 15th. However, the proposed circuit is in very bad condition and it is extremely unlikely that the necessary repairs can be carried out in the time available.
The E.R.A. which Connell has entered for the Geneva race was formerly owned by Tony Rolt and “Jock” Horsfall. It is fitted with a normal close-ratio racing gearbox, and was modified by Freddie Dixon in 1938/39.
Congratulations to Bob Ansell, who was married at Amersham, Bucks., on June 3rd to Diana Blake (nee Tyrwhitt-Drake), widow of Lt. Michael Blake, R.N.V.R.